Setting up a lightweight graphical user interface (GUI) on your Ubuntu Server 24.04 can transform your server experience. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced server administrator, a lightweight GUI provides a user-friendly way to manage your server without straining system resources. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to successfully install and set up a lightweight GUI on Ubuntu Server 24.04.
What Is a Lightweight GUI and Why Use It?
A lightweight GUI (Graphical User Interface) is a minimal interface that allows users to interact with their system visually, using windows, icons, and menus, rather than relying solely on the command line. Unlike full-fledged desktop environments, lightweight GUIs are specifically designed to use fewer system resources, making them perfect for servers where conserving memory and processing power is critical.
Why Use a Lightweight GUI on Ubuntu Server?
- Ease of Use: A GUI eliminates the steep learning curve of working exclusively with terminal commands, making it easier for beginners to manage their servers.
- Resource Efficiency: Lightweight GUIs like XFCE, LXQt, and Openbox consume minimal CPU and RAM, ensuring optimal performance for server tasks.
- Enhanced Management: GUIs provide a visual way to monitor server health, manage files, and configure settings.
- Remote Accessibility: You can set up a lightweight GUI alongside remote desktop tools for easier server access from any device.
For servers that need a balance of performance and usability, a lightweight GUI is an excellent choice. Now that you understand why you might want one, let’s prepare your Ubuntu Server 24.04 for GUI installation.
Preparing Your Ubuntu Server 24.04 for GUI Installation
Before jumping into installing a GUI, it’s important to ensure your server is ready. Preparing the system properly helps avoid errors and ensures a smooth installation process.
Update and Upgrade Your System
The first step in preparing your server is updating and upgrading the existing packages. This ensures that your system is running the latest software, making it more secure and compatible with the GUI you’ll be installing.
To update and upgrade your Ubuntu Server, log in to your server via SSH and run the following commands:
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sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
- apt update: This updates the list of available packages and their versions.
- apt upgrade: This installs the latest versions of your installed packages.
After updating and upgrading, reboot your server to apply any necessary changes:
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sudo reboot
Checking Server Resources Before Installing GUI
Lightweight GUIs are resource-friendly, but it’s still essential to check your server’s available resources before installation. Use the following commands to check CPU, memory, and storage:
- CPU Information:
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- lscpu
- Memory Usage:
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- free -h
- Disk Space:
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- df -h
Ensure that your server has at least 1 GB of RAM and 5 GB of free storage for optimal performance.
Backing Up Your Server Data
Before making significant changes to your server, always back up your data. This precaution ensures that even if something goes wrong, you can restore your system to its previous state.
You can back up your data using rsync or by creating a complete server image with tools like Timeshift. Here’s a basic example of how to back up important directories using rsync:
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sudo rsync -av –progress /important/directory /backup/location
Best Lightweight GUIs for Ubuntu Server 24.04
Not all GUIs are created equal, especially when it comes to servers. Here are some of the best lightweight GUIs to consider:
- XFCE: A popular choice for beginners, XFCE provides a clean interface and is known for its reliability.
- LXQt: Perfect for low-resource servers, LXQt is one of the most lightweight desktop environments available.
- Openbox: A minimalist option for advanced users who prefer to customize their GUI from the ground up.
XFCE: A Beginner-Friendly Option
XFCE is one of the most widely used lightweight desktop environments, known for its speed and simplicity. It offers a user-friendly interface with features like customizable panels, application launchers, and window management. XFCE strikes a perfect balance between performance and usability, making it a great choice for both new and experienced users.
To install XFCE, you’ll need to install its package group along with a display manager (more on this later).
LXQt: Perfect for Low-Resource Servers
If your server is running on extremely limited resources, LXQt is an excellent choice. It’s an ultra-lightweight GUI designed to work seamlessly on machines with minimal RAM and processing power. Despite its simplicity, LXQt provides essential features like file management and a customizable taskbar.
Openbox: The Simplest GUI for Experts
Openbox isn’t a full desktop environment but a window manager, making it the most lightweight option available. It requires manual configuration, which makes it more suitable for advanced users. If you’re comfortable with customization and scripting, Openbox offers unparalleled performance.
Installing XFCE on Ubuntu Server 24.04
Follow these steps to install XFCE on your server:
- Install the XFCE desktop environment:
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- sudo apt install xfce4 -y
- If you also want additional features and tools, install the XFCE goodies package:
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- sudo apt install xfce4-goodies -y
- Reboot your server to apply the changes:
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- sudo reboot
After the reboot, your XFCE desktop environment should be ready to use.
Setting Up a Display Manager
A display manager is a graphical login manager that starts the GUI and allows you to log in to your server.
What Is a Display Manager?
A display manager is a software that provides a graphical login screen. It manages user sessions and launches the desktop environment. Popular display managers include LightDM, GDM, and SDDM.
Choosing the Right Display Manager for XFCE
For XFCE, LightDM is the best choice because of its simplicity and lightweight design. Install LightDM using the following command:
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sudo apt install lightdm -y
During the installation process, you’ll be prompted to choose the default display manager. Select LightDM and press Enter. Once installed, enable and start LightDM:
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sudo systemctl enable lightdm
sudo systemctl start lightdm
The Bottom Line
Installing a lightweight GUI on Ubuntu Server 24.04 can make server management easier, especially for beginners. By following this guide, you’ve learned how to prepare your system, choose the best lightweight GUI, and set up a display manager. Whether you opt for XFCE, LXQt, or Openbox, each option offers a great balance of performance and usability. Remember to keep your server’s resources in mind and back up your data before making changes. Now you’re ready to enjoy the convenience of a lightweight GUI on your Ubuntu Server!
